Apparatus for machining workpieces



13 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 12, 1941. A. oBERHoFFKl-:N ETAL APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES Filed Jan. 23, 1939 JAM Aug 12,1941- A. oBERHor-FKEN z-:TAL 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES Filed Jan. 25, 1939 15 sheets-sheet 2 NVENTOQS Aug. 12, 1941. A. oBERHoFFKEN ETAL 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES Filed Jan. 25, 1959 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 nf S/mmohfw DNhpa .N www. a .D0/fo NOQw,T WHWUW nw @Awww /fdf msm.,

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. APPARATUS FOR MACHNING' WORKPIECES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 12, 1941. A. BERHoFx-'KEN ET. AL 2,251,948l

A PPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECS Filed Jan. .23, 1939 13 SheetS-She'i 5 N VE. N TOQS Q/exQ/nc/er Oe/O//ken Weder/'cf (7 @Pawn/Wezen Aug' 12, 1941 A. oBERHFFKx-:N ETAL 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES Aug. 12,-1941. AgoBERHOFr-'KEN ETA-L 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING 'WORKPIECES Filed Jan. 23, 1939 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 @A wb" Q m Q Q Y0 E QQ S* W W il@ l JJ? il 'I Aug. 12, 1941. A. oBERHor-FKEN E-rAL 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING' WORKPIECES 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 25, 1939 /M www? wmw @www w 0 XU WW m .dey M @www d f w Aug. 12, 1941.

` A. oBERHoFFKl-:N ETAL APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Jan. 23, 1939 C14/@Xander Ubel/w//een @feder/'cf C/Q/ ug- 12, 1941-' A. oBERHoFr-KEN ETAL 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES Filed Jan. 25, 1959 15 sheets-sheet 11 (Q4/@Xander Oberhof/,Wen

grader/'a CfQ/ampwe/'e Q/awf/ @Mh/75027 A7 WMA, CAM, W

Aug. 12, 1941.

A. OBERHQFFKEN ET AL APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKPIECES 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Jan. 25, 1939 h ma@ w www, d o Vn w N 0 w O Maf,

uw@ www Aug. l2, 1941. A. oBERHoFFKr-:N ETAI. 2,251,948

APPARATUS FOR MACHINING WORKP-IECES Filed Jan. 25, 1959 l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 l N E N TO )QS @We Xander Ober/mwen Q72 Patented Aug. 12, 1941 APPARATUS FOR. MACHININGNVORKPIECES Alexander Oberhoffken, Frederick J. Kampmeier, and Harry W. Johnson, Rockford, Ill., assignors to The Ingersoll Milling Machine Company, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application J anuary- 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,300

50 Claims.

Tlieinvention relates to an apparatus for machining work pieces,` and more particularly toan automatic machine tool-production line for performing aseries of metal-removing operations on work pieces at one `or more stations with automatic handlng ofthe Work at and between the several stations.

In mass production factories, it is frequently necessary to perform a series of metal-removing operations on a' large number of substantially duplicate'work pieces. In many instances, the various'metal-removing operations are individually'of different character as, for example,` rough milling; finish milling, buiing or grinding as Well as boring, drilling or tapping. Furthermore, the operations'usually must be performed upon different parts of Work pieces' which generally are irregularly shaped or unsymmetrical. This latter consideration makes it necessary to locate each successive blank'accurately4 With respect to each metal-removing device so that the latter will operate'on the work piece at the required point. Thegeneral aim of the present invention is to accomplish the machining of such unsymmetrical work pieces efciently and at greater speed than has been possible heretofore.

More particularly, it is an objectof'the present invention to provide a novel machine tool apparatus in which a series of substantially duplicate work pieces are automatically and progressively fed through one or more operating stations and properly located and held in different angular positions at such stations during the performance of metal-removing operations thereon so that the apparatus serves to carry out the entire series of metal-removing, work transferring, positioning, and holding operations as parts of one complete integrated process Without the necessity of manual handling of the Work pieces or individual machine controls from beginning to end.

Another object is to increase the speed at which the slower machining operations such as milling may be performed in automatic process machining. In carrying out this object,` provision is made formilling the work pieces while they are held in closely spaced relation and move continuously in an orbital path.

A further object is to provide a novel mechanism for taking positive control of the work pieces and transferring them onto a continuously rotating carrier without interrupting the latters -movement Still. .another general.. object of the invention is" to provide a metal-removing apparatus of the character described embodying an improved arrangement for accurately controlling the'positioning of the Work pieces with respect to their path of travel throughtlie machine, and consequently, with respect to the metal-removing devices which operate upon them during such travel.

Another more specific object is to provide, in an apparatus of the type set forth, a novel unloading. mechanism for receiving the work pieces discharged from. a rotating work support and initiating their transfer in a particular selected direction corresponding to the position the work piece is to occupy at the next machining station.

Still another object is to provide for automatic ejection from the production line of those work pieces which, after being machined at one station, are not adapted to fit properly in the fixture at thenext station.

The invention also resides in the novel construction-of the loading and unloading mechanisms, themanner of actuating the same-with proper timing, and the automatic sizing mechanism.

Further objects and advantages of the inventionv will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a machiningy apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the` drive mechanisms for the apparatus of Fig. 1. y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rst station loader withfpart of the top broken away.

Fig,l 4 is a plan View of the loader shown in Fig. 3 after partial loading movement.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5;-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is' a sectional Yview taken along the line 6'-'-6'of Fig. 5.

.Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional View of the workholders for the iirst machining station in Fig. 1, thesection being along the line 1 1 of Fig. 8.

Fig. Sis a side elevation ofthe machine atstation A, part beingshown in vertical section.

Fig. 9 isa vertical section along the line-9 9 in Fig. 11.

Fig.' 10 is an enlarged exploded vperspective View of-part of theclamp mechanism for the tables of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11y is a plan View partlyin section'fof-portions of the loader androtating work-holder together with the unloader included in the second machining station.

Fig. 12 is a partial vertical sectional View along the line |2--I2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a partial sectional view along the line |3-l3 in Fig. 12.

Figs. 14 and 15 respectively are detail side elevations and plan views of actuating cam mechanisms for the work table clamps, the sections being taken along the lines l4-I4 and iE-l of Fig. 13.

Figs. 16 and 17 are plan and elevational views of the sizing mechanism interposed between the two work stations.

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of a modified form of drive for feeding the work pieces through the sizing mechanism.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION or APPARATUS AND RSUM or OPERATION The invention has been exemplied herein as applied to the performance of a series of metalremoving operations on the cast iron bases or so-called shoesof electric flatirons. Such shoes indicated generally by the numeral 2|] typify the kind of work piece for which the novel apparatus herein contemplated is best suited since they constitute work pieces of medium size'or weight, are irregular in shape, and require diierent metalremoving operations to be performed at a plu-l rality of different pointsthereon. It will be understood, therefore, that the invention is by no means limited to the particular work pieces selected for illustrating the invention, and that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications, Variations and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Flatiron shoes, like many other work pieces made on a quantity productionl basis, are too large and irregular in shape to be handled by hopper feed mechanisms. On the other hand, step-by-step advance of the work pieces through a series of work stations as is the common practice in the process machining of large and relatively heavy work pieces in slow and greatly limits the output rate. In the improved apparatus herein disclosed, the work pieces pass through successive stations in a substantially continuous stream and at a very rapid rate.v In fact, it has been found possible to perform al1 of the milling, drilling, tapping, grinding, and bufling operations, numbering more than twenty, that are required for flatiron shoes at a rate as high as 480 pieces per hour.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, a portion of a completely automatic machine has been illustrated which in its entirety receives rough castings and performs substantially all of the various machining operations required for finishing atiron shoes, including the rough and finishing milling of the bottom and sides as well as bufng or polishing certain areas, milling of the top pads, drilling and tapping of holes inthe top pads, and cutting a button nook slot in the nose of the shoe. For purposes of illustration and explanation of the present invention, it was not believed to bepnecessary to show the entire machine andLaccordingly, only two intermediate stations in the line have been included.,` These comprise stations A and B, at the first ofv which the'two side edges Zb and vZil of the ilatiron shoes are successively milled and at the` second of which the top pads 202L are4 milled andthe buttl ends 20c are milled Yand buried.

'Ihe manner in which the work pieces are advanced plays an important part in the present method of machining since it is so correlated with the machining operations .that maximum speed is combined with precision of positioning. The direction of flow of the stream of work pieces to and through stations A and B will be apparent from Fig. 1. In particular, the work pieces, shown as ilatiron shoes 20, approach station A along a continuously moving belt conveyor 2| on which they travel in upright position with their noses pointed forwardly. They are held in this relation by side walls Zla of the conveyor track. An intermittently operable loader 22 receives and takes positive control of the Work pieces as they approach each operating station and finally transfers them one by one into pockets on a table or work support 23 which rotates clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1) The table 23 rotates continuously and the loader 22 is actuated in timed relation with it. The details of these and other general elements of the machine are, of course, described hereinafter in greater detail.

The work pieces are projected onto the table 23 along a path generally tangential to the circular path of the work holders or chucks on the table so that one side edge 26Si of each work piece will be exposed at the table periphery. Each work piece is automatically clamped in position on the table 23 and its exposed side edge 20d is presented to a cutter 24 of a milling machine 25 (Fig. 8) and also to a broaching tool 24a. Thek curvature of the surfaces milled on the work pieces is determined by the' radial displacement of the cutter from the axis of rotation of the table 23. After passingthe milling cutter 24 and the broach 24a, the work pieces 20 continue in a generally figure eight or S-shaped path which necessitates a transfer to a second and oppositely rotating table 26 so as to expose their opposite sides 2l]b for milling by a second rotating cutter 21 and finishing by a broach. 21a. The transfer between tables involves automatic unclamping from the table 23, lateral shifting to the table 23, and clamping thereon. After the work pieces 2i] pass the broach 21a, they are automatically unclamped and discharged onto a second continuously moving belt conveyor 28 by which they are carried, pointed end forwardly, to the next operating station.

At station B, the work pieces 'are received by a second loader 29 substantially identical with the loader 22. In each case, the conveyors 2| and 28 travel at a speed slightly in excess of the loading speed of their associated loader so that work pieces will accumulate in advance of the loaders andalways be waiting to enter the latter. The conveyor belt slides beneath the work pieces awaiting entrance into the loader and holds them in abutting end-to-end relation. The second loader 29 works in timed relation to an associated continuously rotating table or work sup-v port 30 which turns in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1). Peripheral pockets on the table 36 receive the pieces 2D which are thrust-l radially into the pockets, nose first, so as to expose the butt ends 20 of the work pieces for machining. After being clamped, the work pieces on the table are carried pasta rotating milling cutter 3l and a broach 3|b of a machine 32 and then past rotating buing or polishing wheels 33 and'34. Grease for facilitating polishing may be applied automatically to the machined Asurface of each ywork piece as by a wick type applicator 33a.. In addition, the work pieces pass beneath a facemilling cutter Sie whichA mills the pads a. ontheir tops. In` order. to position the Work piecesv for proper entrance into xtures at the next operating station in the line, they are unloaded-successively from the table Sil-into a fixture h'aving pockets therein which receive the Work piecesl 2Q with their noses facing radially outward. The fixture 35 operates to turn the pieces around clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 and then dischargesfthem onto a thirdcontinuously moving belt conveyor 36` along which they move in uprightV and forwardly facing position to the next station.

A continuously moving line of Vclosely spaced Work holders is preferred for milling operations which are inherently slow and most likely therefore to limit the production capacity of the entire line. In performing drilling or tapping operations, however, which are quite rapid as compared to milling, the work holders may be indexed through an orbital path rather than beingmoved continuously.

In order to insure a positive timing for, as Well as a simple interlocking of, the cooperating elements at each station, they are preferably driven by common power actuators shown herein (Fig. 2) as electric motors 31 and 38. Separate motors, interlocked, if desired, With the feed motors 3l and 38 may be provided (not shown herein) for the various milling cutters and buing tion in timed relation to the continuous rotation L of the table 3e and at a speed such that its integrated peripheral speed will equal that of the cooperating Work support table 30. Since the diameter of the turn-around table 35 is substantially less than that of the table 30, the angular velocity of the table 35 exceeds that of the table 3e. In particular, if the table 30 has twenty-two positions for the flatiron shoes 20 and the table 35 has eight, then the table 35 is indexed through one-eighth of 'a turn for each twenty-second of arevolution of the table 30.

As to the drive at station A, the motor 3l is belted to a drive pulley 3S drivingly connected through a gear train 4t with a worm 4I and an intermediate shaft 42. Considering first the Worm 4l, it will be seen that it meshes with Worm wheels 43 and 44 located on its opposite sides and to which the work supporting tables 23 and 26 are respectively connected. Accordingly, the latter tables are rotated in Opposite directions and at substantially constant equal speeds. Similarly,.the` intermediate shaft 42 serves in general to drive the rst conveyor belt 2| and the first loader 22. To this end, the shaft 42 is connected with a drive pulley for the conveyor belt 2l through an overload'slip connection 46, bevelgearslll, intermediate gearing 48, a Worm :EQ land worm wheel 50. The shuttle motion of the loader 22 is, on the other hand, achieved by means of a ybarrel cam 5| rotated by gears 52-53 through the medium of a single revolution clutch 54 which is, in turn, driven from the intermediate gearing 48.Y As will hereinafter. appear in' greater detail, the clutch 54-istrippedby the table23. so 'asto `cause-thel barrelcam5l. to be 75'" rotated, and thereby cause the loader to inject the-next' Work piece intothe Work support table 23,--at predetermined points vin the rotative movement -of'the latter. After the clutch 54A-hasco1npleted-.one revolution, it automatically releases so thatthe loader 22Jremains-at rest until the clutch-is-again trippe'dbyfurther movement of the-tablel; Al precise timing'of the loaderactuation with respectto the continuous movement of: the table 23-is thus' achieved. Also, since the cyele ofthe loader i's-controlled directly bythe table, there is no possibility of i lack of synchronism between-them des-piteeither inadvertent or deliberate changes intable speed.

At station vB, theelectric driving motor- 38 is connected'to-a Worin and Wheel -55 which is; in turn,.connected` thro-ughspeed-change pickofiigears Etand a Worm'5ll and Yworin Wheel 51e with the continuously rotated Work supporting table .332 An overloadslip connection 59 is provided betweenthe shaft' and the gearingA 55. The intermediate shaft 58I also drives bevel-*gears 65 and-intermediate'gearing 6I With a rvvorm B2 meshing with av/orm Wheel 53on the driving pulley 64 of the secondconveyor belt 28. The second loader 2e is reciprocatedby abarrel'cam S5-generally'identical with the barrel cam 5I` of the firstv loader;v In the present inst-ance, the cami is rotated by meshing gears {i5-61 operatively connected tothe intermediategearing 5L by a single revolution clutch 68. This clutch is trippedv byv the tabl-e 3i) as^vvi1l hereinafter appear in greater detaill soA that the loader 29 shuttles a fresh Work piece Eil into each successive WerkA holderA on lthe Vperiphery of the t'able' gg., v

The electric-motor il-fat-'station B also serves tovdrivethe unloader andfturn-aroun'd table 35; For this purpose, the Worm Wheel 53is connected through an Aintermediate-shaft 69- and bevel gears lll' With'a gear TI meshing with a second gear 'I2 fl'xedto a verticalshaft 13; This latter shaft lil-carriesl a mutilated pinion 'E4 on-its upper end meshing-Witha gear- Wheel 'l5 fixed on the rotatableunloader table 35. A segmental cam 'I6 fast onA the vertical shaftv 'I3 cooperates With a peripherally. notched cam disk 1'! fixed to the gear 15- to complete a Geneva type Inovement for the table 35. By the use of this type of'drive movement, a step-by-step'- rotation of the unloader Vtable v35 'is obtained in'timed relation With thelcontinuous-rotation of the table'll.` The table 35idWel-ls in veachrest position and is then shifted quickly into-i`tsnext position after having received a-mac-hined Work piece 20 from the table 30.V The third conveyor belt 36 maybe driven by--an elec-tric motor at the next succeeding machiningstation or in any'suitable manner.

` First loading fixture Precisepositioningof the Work pieces duringloading-f and movement of the pieces at speeds greater than those of the conveyor or table are requisite in the loading operation particularly in vievv. of .the character` of the machining operations' being performed .and the fact that the work pieces.. are placed in closely spaced relation on a continuously movingl table. To this f end, the 1oader22 takes positive control ofthe work pieces 2i).Y delivered thereto by the conveyor 2| and advances severalbf the pieces step-by-step to project .theleading piece of the group onto the table 23'. By movingthev/ork pieces lthrough several successive steps, that is,` retainingl them in the loader 22 during-a pluralityof advancing steps,

better control of both the 'work piece position and timing are achieved. The loader advances the work pieces along a path substantially tangent to the table 23 so that side edges 28d of each work piece will be exposed when the piece has been transferred to its fixture on the table.

In the particular construction shown (Figs. 3 to 6) the loader l22 operates with a reciprocatory or shuttle action and embodies a slide 18 reciprocable on a. bed 19 and driven by the barrel cam through the medium of the single revolution clutch 54. The drive from the cam 5| to the slide l18 is formed by a cam follower roller 88 (Fig. 5) on thelower side of the slide which rides in the groove 5 |a in the surface of the barrel cam. The slide 18 is generally U shaped, as viewed from the top (Fig. 3) with its legs extending toward and embracing the entering end of the conveyor belt 2l. A generally rectangular top plate 8| (Figs. 4 and 6) overlies the slide 18 in spaced relation and is stationarily supported by posts 82 upstanding from the bed 19. This top plate 3| has a plurality of apertures 83 herein (Fig. 4) which expose to view the successive work pieces 28 passing through the loader.

Two sets of pivoted fingers on the slide 18 and top plate 8| respectively serve to guide and advance the work pieces 28 through the loader and advance the same from the belt 2| onto a stationary plate 99 (Figs. 3 and 5) the upper surface of which is disposed slightly below the level of the belt. The upper set of fingers are simply detents while the lower set act as work guiding and advancing pawls. The latter are shown herein (Figs. 3 and 6) in the form of bell cranks 84 pivoted on the opposite sides of the slide 18. Each of these bell cranks includes a first arm 85 having an enlarged and rounded head 88 thereon as well as a second arm 81. r'I'he arms 81 of the rst pair of bell cranks are free to swing individually while the arms 81a of the other bell cranks are pivotally interconnected on each side of the Yline of work pieces 28 by links 88 so that the groups of bell cranks 84 will oscillate. together. By providing individual rocking of the 'first set of bell cranks, opening of the arms by an entering iron from the conveyor will not be transmitted to the group of irons already spaced. y

' Upon reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that 4the .bell cranks 84 are arranged in pairs so that the arms 85 thereof constitute opposed pawls or jaws engageable with the work pieces 28. Tension springs 9| and 9 |a anchored at their opposite ends to the arms 81 and 81a and to the slide 18 yieldably urge-theV opposed bell crank arms 85 toward each other. Accordingly, during the forward stroke of the slide 18 (to the right as viewed in Fig. 3), the enlarged heads 86 on the pawl arms 85 engage the butt end 28c of the preceding work piece so as to shove it forward or tothe right. At the same time, flat surfaces 86a on the heads 88 vengage the nose of the next succeeding work piece and hold the latter against lateral movement and out of contact with the preceding piece. During the return stroke of the slide 18, the work pieces are held against a return movement by a second set of pawls or detents (as will appear herein-after), and the bell cranks 84 are returned to Vtheir, initial position. In this movement, the pawls- 85 are pushed apart as `their surfaces 88a ride along the convex sides of the work pieces. soon as the heads 86 reach the'butt end of the workpiece, howeventhey ride Yolf and are snapped in behind the Vend 28c -by the springs 9|` so that they again yassume the initial position shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the work pieces 28 are advanced step-by-step through the loader rapidly while being accurately and carefully guided by the pawls and held out of contact with each other.

The cooperating set of pawls or detents for the loader are shown herein (Figs. 4 and 6) as fingers 92 having heads 93 thereon shaped generally the same as the heads 86 on the pawls 85. In the present instance, however, the fingers or detents 92 are pivoted at 92a on the xed top plate 8| and the pivots are located directly above the heads 88 when the latter are in retracted position so that the heads 93 will engage the butt ends 28 and`hold all of the work pieces in the loader against backward movement during return of the slide 18. As in the case of the first set of pawls described, the fingers 92 are arranged in opposite pairs and are interconnected by pantograph linkages including links 94 rigid with the respective pawls and interconnected by pivoted cross links 95. The fingers 92 making up each pair are urged toward each other by tension springs 86 anchored to the top plate 8|.

During the forward stroke of the slide 18, the ngers 92 ride along thesides of the advancing work pieces 28 which pass between them and guide these work pieces during such advancing movement, At the termination of each advancing step, the heads 93 of the fingers 92 move in behind the work pieces under the action of the springs 86. Then, during the subsequent return stroke of the slide 18, the work pieces 28 are heldby the detents v92 against rearward displacement which might otherwise be caused by the friction of the pawls 85 riding along their sides in returning to their initial positions. Any tendency of the work pieces to over-travel is overcomepby a finger 8|l (Figs. 5 and '1) urged downwardly by a spring 8| a against the leading work piece in the loa-der. The lower end of the nger is forked to straddle the nose of the leading work piece and thereby hold it in correct lateralY position. Positive and accurate positioning of the work pieces 28 throughout their movement through the loader 22 is thus assured.

The nal transfer of the work pieces 28 from theloader 22 to the rotating work table 23 yis accomplished with the aidof an auxiliary loader, designated generally by the numeral 91 (Figs. 3, Lland '1 Y This loader includes a jaw 98 pivoted atl 98a on the upper surface of a loading skid plate 99 on the machine base and carrying spring fingers 98b-which define a yieldable face curved to conform to the side edges of the work pieces 28. The jaw 98 is' yieldably urged toward the table 23 (Fig. 7) by means of a tension spring |88 connected to an arm |8| on the jaw 98.

' Projecting from the forward end of the slide 18 is a rod |82 (Fig. 3) carrying a head |82a guided by the plate 99 and carrying parallel bars |83 and |84. After a short advance of the slide 18 during its forward stroke, the cam-shaped end |832*- of the'bar |83 engages an arm |83b on the jaw '93 and swings the latter away from the table to the position shown in Fig. 4 thereby permitting the work piece to enter a pocket on the table 23. Thebar |88 has rack teeth thereon meshing with. gear |84a which, during advance of the slidev 18,` rotates a pinion |84b to project a rack bar |84c meshing therewith into the path of' thefnose on the work piece being loaded. In the nal portion of the loader stroke, the work piece being loadedmoves from the feed line position (Fig. .4) to 4that shown fin dot-dash outline, the nose ofthe piecefengages the end of the bar.l 04C and is cammed outwardly thereby delaying entry'of the nose of the work piece and permitting thebutt `end ofthe workpiece to shiftinwardly along a locating button I I6 after passing stationary guide lugs |04d. Then, during the return stroke of the .loader slide, .thebar |04c is retracted and `the jaw 98 isv permitted ,to swing inwardly by .the spring .-I00. During .this movement, .the spring fingers 98b bear against the outer.side.20cl ofthe work lpieceand `swing the nose -inwardly .andshift the entire piece bodily onto. a hardenedplate |38 defining the table top. The nose finally comesagainstthe front locating button IISa .and an inner abutment defined by a ange II1 upstanding from thetable 23. Thus, the .buttons .|I6 and II62L .cooperate with the ilange .I I1 .to form a pocket above .the plate |38 into `which pocket the work piece becomes seated toposition the .outer side 20dbeyorld the outer edge .of thetable and concentric with the axis thereof.

.High speed actuation of the shuttle loader 22 is -achieved throughthe vuse ofithe single revolution trip type clutch .5.4 previously noted .which insures proper timing .between the .intermittent reciprocating motion of the loader .and the continuous yrotaryimovement of the table 23. Although the clutch may be of any desired type, it is..shown herein (Fig..6) asincluding a driver in the form of a ratchet wheel |05 ,and a driven member in the form of a pawl |06 pivoted on a rotatable spider or housing IL which embraces the ratchet'wheel (Fig. 5). A pivoted detentV |01 normally engages-the pawl-|06 and holds it outof-engagement with the ratchet lwheel |05 so that the clutch is disconnected. IIn order to engage the clutch'for one revolution of the shaft carrying the Vdrivingratchet |05, the detent |01 is momentarily lifted from Ythe pawl |06 so that the latter moves into engagement with the ratchet =wheel -I05 under the bias of a torsion spring |08. Thereafter, if the detent |01 is returned to its initial position,'it will engage thepawl |00 again only after a complete revolution of the latter'so that the clutch is again'automatically disengaged at such time. Such disengaging movement of the detent |01 from the pawl '|05 and-in timed relation with the 'rotation of the work table 23 Ais accomplished by means of a series of'pins |09 (Figs. 4 and 6) located in a pheripheral groove I`|0 in the table. These pins are located to ride under the nose oi a pawl III pivoted on the loader bed, thereby Iraising-it as they pass'under the pawl. turn, connected with'the detent .|01 through a rock shaft lIIa, a link I|2, a bellcrank H4, a link H3, and a crank arm I'I-Si. Accordingly, when "oneof the pins |09 raises the pawl III, the-detent |01 is cscillated counterclockwise (as viewed inFig. 6) `so that it disengagesthe clutch pawl AI'llli'and .permits the latter Ito engagethe ratchet wheel |05. Return movement of the detent |01 .in a clockwise direction, vafter the pin lflhas'disengaged the pawl I I'I, is limited by an adjustable ystop |I5.

-Double table work support ters ,2d andZIIa whilein the Ysecond half ofthe path the opposite. sidefaces 20h. of the workpieces are 4exposed for Vmilling and broaching 'by the cutters 2.1 and`21a. In each case the curvature ofthe side face milled on the work piece is determined bythe displacement of the active edge of thecutters from. the center of rotation of the table which supports the work piece.

Means is provided for interrupting the movement of each work table in the event that a work piece delivered to one of the table pockets does notbecome fully seated therein. In the case of the table .23, this means .comprises a switch.250 (Fig. '7) controlling the .tabledrive mechanism and actuated by a feeler iinger 25| -which. is pivoted .at 252 and projects into or adjacent .the normalpath of movement of the work pieces by the table just beyond the loading position. Normally, the switch is held closed and operates to maintain operation of the table drive motor. 31 as the vwork pieces fully seated in the table holders pass the feeler 25|. In the event that a Work piece does not seat properly and Vprojects outwardly 'toa point that might result in .damage to the cutter 24 or the machine, .the feeler is moved sufficiently to open the switch 250 and thus disablethe motor 31.as by breaking a holding circuit thereof, the motor remaining idle until thework piece is 4removed and the motor restarted.

'Clamping mechanismsareprovided for holding the work pieces in Iposition `in the pockets enea-ch of the .rotating tables 23 and 26, and since Athe clamp mechanisms for both .tables are substantially identical, a detailed description of that for the table 23 will suffice for both. The same reference numerals have been used in Figs. 7 and 8 for Ysubstantially `identical parts on the twotables. vThe circular `flange I|1 encircles an upright center post IIB lon'the table.23. A domeshaiped cover |20 Aiits about the top of `each of the rotating .tables and encloses the respective clamping mechanisms.

To hold the work pieces 20 on lthe table plate I38, a .clamp shoe `|2| is positioned above each ofthe .work receiving pockets (Figs. 8 and .10).

This pawl Il! in ited radial movementon the table.

` guided therein by lateral ribs |232.

Each of these clamp shoes is pivoted by a pin I.22..on thelower end ofan associated clamping plunger |23 which is vertically slidable in a corresponding vertical ibore in the tableibeing A horizontally vslidable wedge blockl24 serves tomove the clamp `plunger |23 vertically into and out of clam'pingposition. The upper side of the block I24rides beneath a back-up roller |25 carried bv Athe .table while the tapered lower surface thereof (Fig.,8) rides over a roller |26 journaled on Athe .plunger |23. The block |26 is slidable axiallyupon .a pin |30 fixed to the base Yof a horizontal yoke |3I, which is disposed for lim- A helical compression spring |21 encircling the pin |30 within a central longitudinal bore in the'block I 24 .yieldably urges the block .radially outward from 4the .yoke 13|. When the wedge block |24 is thrust radially outward, its tapered bottom surf-ace yrides over the roller .|20 ,and forces the clamp plunger |23 downward. Upon withdrawal of the wedge block, however, lateral ribs |28 thereon (Fig. 10) -slide along complemental tapered ledges .|29 onthe plunger |23 so that the is exposedformilling and broaching bythe cut- 7255 latter is retracted upwardly.

.In the. arms of each of the yokes I3I is journaled a pin |32 yhaving thereon two cam follower rollers |33 and. |34. The rollers |733 are of slightly larger diameter than the rollers of |34. Actuation of the clamp shoes I 2| into and out of clamping engagement with their respective work pieces in timed relation to the rotation of the table 23 is accomplished by a pair of peripheral cams |35 and |36 keyed to the upper end of the Xed post ||8 and held thereon by lock nuts I3'I. The cam |35 contacts the cam follower |33 while the cam |36 contacts .the cam follower |34, the latter cam |36 being formed as an inwardly facing surface on an overhanging ledge embracing the roller ,I 34. When one of the work pockets is in its loading position (Fig. '7), the cams I 35 and |36 are positioned so that the yoke |3| is withdrawn inwardly and the clamping plunger |23 raised by the wedge block |24. The clamp shoe I'2I is thus raised so .that the work piece 20 can be slid into position in the pocket I6 on a skid plate |38 which forms the bottom wall of the pocket. Upon further rotation of the table 23, the high part of the cam |35 contacts the roller |33 (Fig. '7) so that the yoke 3| and its attached wedge block |24 are thrust radially outward and the clamp shoe |2| pressed firmly into engagement with the work piece. The clamp remains engaged during approximately the subsequent 180 degrees of table rotation and during which time the clampedwork piece is roughed and nished by the cutters 24 and 24a. Thereafter, the roller 33 rides into a low portion of the cam |35 and correspondingly the roller |34 rides onto a high portion of the cam |36 so that the vyoke I3I and attached wedge |24 are again drawn inward and the clamp shoe |2| raised from the work piece 20 to disengage it. It will thus be seen that the clamping mechanisms for the tables 23 and 26 are so arranged that they automatically engage successive work pieces and hold them tightly clamped on the tables fory predetermined arcs of movement about the table peripheries as indicated by the legends in Fig. 1.V Somewhat different sizes or shapes of work pieces can be accommodated byproperly changing the positions of the locating buttons.

, In order to shift the work pieces 20 from the table `23onto the table 23, a .transfer ymechanism has been provided which is actuated in timed relation with .movements of the table 26. This mechanism is shown herein (Fig. 7) asembodying a transfer arm |39 pivotedvat |39a on the machine ,bed and having ardog |40 fast thereonand normallyretracted by a` tension spring. I43.to the position shown in dot-dash outline in Fig. 7. The free end of the dog projects into the pathof the pins I4| in a groove |42 fashioned in the periphy ery of the .table 26. One pin is Vprovided foreach work receiving pocket and is so positioned with respectv to its associated pocket that one of the work pieces 20 will be pushed into such pocketby the transfer arm |39 when the latter is oscillated in aclockwise direction by one of the pins |4|. It willbe observed that the arm |39 is disposed above the locating abutments vI'I6a and its inner face |39c is curved to t the inner side of the advancing work piece acting thereon to cam the nose of the piece outwardly away from the button I Iiia by the time the pin |V4| engages the arm |40. In the transfer of the work piece, the butt end iirst moves in ahead of the button ||6. As soon as the pin I'4I passes the dog, the transfer arm :|30 is returned to its initial position by a spring |43 secured to a stationary lug |44.

To assist in the nal transfer of the work piece to the table 26 and proper seating in a pocket thereon, a shoe |45 is mounted adjacent the table beyond the transfer point and carries spring iin.-

` tially across the path thereof.

gers |46 which engage the side 201 of the transferred piece and yieldably cam the piece into iinal position.

As a precaution, provision is made for positively retracting the transfer arm |39 in the event that the spring |43 fails. This includes projections `|41 (Fig. '7) carried by the table 23 in positions to engage a lug |48 on the transfer arm and swing the latter in ahead of the next work piece.

After the work pieces have been accurately located on the second work table 26, they are clamped in position by cooperating clamping shoes |2| (Fig. 8) which are actuated in timed relation with the rotationof the table just as in the case of the similar clamps |2I on the table 23. Y After rotating through substantially degrees, and during which rotation the cutters 2'I and 2'Ia machine the exposed edges of the work pieces 20, the latter are unclamped. Then, they are dislodged from their pockets and pushed on to .the second belt conveyor 28 by a transfer finger |50 (Fig. 7) stationarily mounted and projecting into the path of the work pieces on the table 26. As the nose of each successive work piece engages the nger, the piece isv cammed out of its pocket and slid onto .the conveyor.

The close spacing of the successive work pieces on the tables 23 and 26 will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. y7. By virtue of this, the milling cutters 24 and 2'! and the broaches operate continuously thereby increasing the speed of the milling operation.

Sizing mechanism Mechanism is provided which operates 'automatic-ally during the transfer of the work pieces from station A to station B to measure at least one dimension of each work piece and to withdraw from the stream any work pieces which are not of a sizeto fit properly in the xtures at the next station. More particularly, the mechanism operates in the present instance to measure the width of the work pieces and eject any which are undersize.

As shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, the sizing mechanism includes two fingers 20| swingable horizontally about stationaryvpivots 202 on opposite sides of the conveyor 28 and projecting in the direction of advance of the work pieces and par- Y The hubs of the ngers carry arms 203 connected by a link 204 and one having a second arm 205 which is urged by a spring 206a in a'direction to swing the fingers toward each other. vThe free end ofthe arm 205 is joined by a link 206 and a lost motion connection 201 to the end of a crank arm 208 pivoted at 209 and rigid with a gate 2|0. The latter projects from its pivot in a, direction opposite from the work advance and is swingable back and forth across the path of the work piecesv carried by the conveyor 28. If the gate is disposed in the full line position as a work piece moves beyond its free end, the piece is permitted to continue along its normal path. But, when the piece is undersize, thegate is permitted to move across the conveyor belt to the inclined position shown in dotted outline. In this position, the gate will be engaged by the Work piece and will, during advance of the latter by the belt 28, cam the piece laterally oil" from the belt.

Such control of the gate position is governed by a device for automatically measuring the width of each moving work piece. This device includes two feelers 2|| and 2|2 mounted on v012-v posite Sides of the conveyor 28 to engage the opposite machined sides 25Jb and 26d of the work piece at the widest part of the latter just as the butt end 20c passes the fingers 2|l| as shown in Fig. 16. The nger 2|| is stationary While the nger 2|2 is guided in a frame 2|3 for endwise movement. Upstanding from the outer end of the nger 2|2 is a pin 2|4 connected to a short arm of a bell crank 2|5 pivoted at S2Iia. The long arm is connected by a link 2|6 to a latch 2| 1 pivoted at 2|8 and engageable with a projection 2|9 on the gate 2|. When the Work piece is of the correct width as is the one shown in Fig. 16, the feeler 2| 2 will be moved by the work piece advancing along the conveyor `and hold the latch 2|'| against the action of a light spring 220 in the position shown. This condition exists at the time the work piece passesthe fingers 22| so that the gate 2||J is held by the latch2|1 out of the path of the work piece and the latter is allowed to be carried on by the conveyor '28 to the next work station. If, however, the vwork piece is slightly undersize, as determined by the selected spacing feelers 2!! and 2|2, the latch 2| 1 will be held out of blocking relation with respect to the gate and the'latter will be permitted to move under the action of the spring 20E-into the dotted position (Fig. 16) as the work piece passes the lingers 26|. In such a case, the advancing work piece will engage the inclined gate and be cammed thereby'of from the conveyor.

To avoid the necessity of the gate moving against the work pathy after the workiece passes the feelers 2|| and 2|2, a second latch 22| pivoted at 2|8'is arranged tobe disposed in blocking position With'respect to the gate in-all positions of the work piece on the conveyor except the one shown in Fig. 16. This latch is moved to blocking position by a spring 222 and is connected by a link 223 to thelong arm oi a bell crank 22d pivoted at 225. The Ishort-bell crank arm is 'connected to a slidable bar' 22pivotallyjoined at 229 to a yoke 221 having ngers 22S engageable with the machine'surface 25h onopposite sides of the feeler 2|2.

It willbe seen from Fig. 16'that when the work piece is in measuring position, both fingers 223 engage the work shifting the yoke22l outwardly and thus retracting the latch 22| sothat the gate is at this time underfthe control of thelatch 2H. After the measuring operation andy when the work piece advances beyond the rear nger 228, the latter moves in behind the work piece and the resulting pivotal vmovement-of the yoke 22'! permits movement of the latch 22| by the spring 222 into a position to engage the projection `2H?. This movement'of the latch 22| ofcourse occurs before the normal retraction of the latch 2H as the Widest portion of the work piece passes the feeler 2|2. The projection 2|9 has a cam'surface 230 which engages a complemental surface 23| on the'latches and cams the latter out of the way Whenthe gate is swung back 'to normal position by the fingers `29| following ejection of an undersize work piece.

For some work pieces, particularly those which are of relatively light weight, it may be desirable to providerneans for increasing the driving friction between the work pieces and the conveyor by which they are advanced through the sizing mechanism. Such a means may take the form of a downwardly urged roller 2M) .(Fig. 18) Under which each workpiece ,rides and by which the piece is engaged while it is in operativeengagement with the sizing mechanism. Herein the roller is faston a shaft 24| '.journaled .in bearings 242 on the `freeendslof'two arms'243 .which'are pivoted on a shaft.2:4.4. The roller is thus .urged downwardly .by its own :weight iand that of its supporting arms. Preferably, the'roller is driven in synchronism .with .the conveyor v23 as by belts i245 and 246 and .pulleys connecting the shaft' 24| `with a drive .pulley 241 driven from one of the pulleys by Which-the conveyor belt 28 is advanced or supported. f

Second .station At the/second metal-removing station B (Fig. l), the work vpieces 2D are again received in a continuous 4stream from the conveyor belt v28 and advanced with a --step-by-stepmovement through the 'shuttle loader 29 onto the continuously-rotating'work'table 3|). In this case, however, the work piecesvare thrust radially inward onto the work table lso as to expose the butt ends 29C thereof. The loader'2-9 at station B is substantially identical with the rst loader 22 and, hence, azdetailed description would be mere repetitionfand is unnecessary. In general, the loader'f2'9 is actuated in timed relation with therotation-ofthetable 30 so that a fresh work piece isthrust'into each successive Work receivingfpocket presented 'to the loader by the table and without interruption in the table movement. To accomplish this timedactuation, a series of pins |5| (Figs. 11-and 12) are securedto the peripheryof thetable at spaced pointsl to actuate a cooperating dog |52 which, infturn, trips the single revolution driving clutch 68 (Fig. 2) of the loader 29. One pin is, of course, provided foreach ,of the workl receiving pockets or holders on the'table 30.

An Yauxiliary loader, designated generally by the numeral |53 (Fig. '11) firmly seats the work pieces 20 in 'thework receiving pockets on the table '33. This auxiliary loader generally resemblesthe auviliary loader'S'l at station A and embodies a yjaw |54 ypivoted on a supporting block |55, the jaw Vhaving a curved inner face conforming to the contour of the exposed butt ends `'of the work pieces. A ltapered nose l|5||a on-the jaw cams the jaw over thebutt ends of the'work pieces-upon engagement therewith. A helical compression spring '|56 yieldably urges theV jaw |54 Vtoward the work pieces so thatthe jaw presses the work pieces into the `complemental'work holder pockets.

`To -clamp the workfpieces '20'on the table'and locate-'them accurately thereon, a Work locating and clamping mechanismisfprovided embodying a circular casting |51 (Fig. 12) bolted to the top of theitable 30 and formedwith aseries (herein shown as-twenty-two in number) of -work-receiving pockets |58. At `each of these pockets, two undercut'lugs |59 "(Fig. l1) are provided at the innerend'to' receive vthe nose of the work piece `while an undercut lug |60 engages one side of the lwork piece near its butt end. The opposite side of each work piece is gripped by a clamping vshoe V||| having an lundercut inner face complementing the'taper on the milled side edge of the work piece. This form of clamping mechanismy exposes not'only the butt of the work piece for machining, Vbut also the top surface thereof. 4By iirst milling the tapered or beveled side edges on the iiatiron shoes, Vthey are conditioned foreasy gripping to expose the butt end and top as described.

Each of the clampshoes |61 isscrewedto the upper end of a corresponding clamp plunger 

